Volume Twenty-Eight • Number Four • 20 May 2002 - News & Views - Press and Information Office

Ros Gill of the Gender Institute presented her documentary, Brave New Work, on the BBC's Analysis programme, broadcast earlier this month on Thursday 2 May.

The documentary explored the world of portfolio working - the new fashionable buzz-word according to Ros. As she explains, 'It can mean many things: doing several jobs at the same time, becoming a self-employed freelancer, or even having a series of mini careers - a sort of serial monogamy of the jobs market.' However, she poses the question: 'Is this a significant trend, spelling the end of career as we know it, or just a lot of hot air?'

To thrash out the whole issue, Ros called on the experiences and expertise of a number of people: Charles Leadbeater, writer and adviser to New Labour; Harriet Bradley, Professor of Sociology at Bristol; Peter Nolan, Professor of Economics at Leeds and director of the Economic and Social Research Council's Future of Work programme; Anthony Watts, Professor of Career Development, Derby but currently on secondment to OECD, Paris; and two people from LSE, Professors John Gray and Richard Sennett.

New urban research group

Minerva plc, the FTSE 250 property company, has launched a ground-breaking joint venture with LSE's Cities Programme. The venture will undertake new research into key factors impacting on urban development.

Minerva is making an initial investment of £500,000 in the joint venture project, which will be named The Minerva LSE Research Group. The group will undertake a continuing stream of original research initiatives targeted at addressing the practical issues that will influence development in major urban areas, the arena in which Minerva's development activities focus. The group also aims to enhance the awareness and clarity of the issues that are impacting upon urban areas and, in turn, help shape the future of public policy.

The move represents the first time that a UK property company has independently created an entity dedicated to long-term research into those issues that affect its industry. The results will provide Minerva with an exclusive resource to be considered when formulating future strategy and the findings of the group will constitute a public knowledge base, giving advice on how best to plan cities that will be of value to city governments and mayors on a world-wide basis.

Andrew Rosenfeld, chief executive of Minerva, commented: 'The property industry has for too long made major investment decisions that have enormous impact on our environment and infrastructure that are based on little or no practical research. No other industry makes commercial decisions on this basis. This initiative, conducted with one of the world's leading academic authorities on urban design and regeneration, will go some way towards redressing this and provide Minerva with a platform of considered research which will enhance its performance as one of London's major developers.' Richard Burdett, director of the Cities Programme, commented: 'LSE leads Europe in research of this type and Minerva's support will not only help maintain this position but enhance the quality of our work. The built environment has an enormous impact on all our lives and we believe that the work of the Minerva LSE Research Group will greatly contribute to the future of urban planning and development in both the UK and abroad.'

If you would like further information, please contact Ian Lindsley, tel: 020 7630 3816.

Global winners

Henry Wigan, Economic History, and Julia Giese, Economics, were two of eight UK undergraduates to receive the prestigious Goldman Sachs Global Leaders Awards.

The Global Leaders were selected on the basis of their outstanding academic abilities and leadership achievements. The Goldman Sachs Foundation and its partner organisation, the Institute of International Education, created the Global Leaders Program to identify and reward the academic excellence and leadership potential of 100 of the most accomplished second-year students from all disciplines worldwide.

Along with the distinction of being selected, the students will each receive $2,000 and take part in award ceremonies where renowned leaders in the public, civic, and private sector will discuss the challenges of leadership in the 21st Century.

Stephanie Bell-Rose, president of The Goldman Sachs Foundation said: 'We need to prepare our best and brightest to operate in a global context, and to educate our future leaders for a complex technology-driven environment in varied cultural settings. We hope that the experience as a Goldman Sachs Global Leader will inspire them... and we hope that the relationships they develop as Global Leaders will provide further opportunities over the years.'

Debate

Panel includes: Sir Christopher Bland, BT Chairman, Barry Cox Channel 4 deputy chairman and Professor Robin Mansell of media@lse.

Academics abroad

LSE People

Professor John Hardman Moore of the Economics Department has been elected foreign honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Founded in 1780, the Academy is an international learned society with a current membership of 3,700 American fellows and 600 foreign honorary members. Its membership includes more than 160 Nobel Prize laureates and 50 Pulitzer Prize winners.

Nominated and elected by current members of the Academy, foreign honorary members are 'distinguished experts and intellectuals from outside the United States whose work complements the values of the American Academy'. Professor Hardman Moore is one of 30 eminent scientists, scholars, artists and public leaders to be elected to the class of 2002. The annual induction ceremony for new fellows and foreign honorary members will take place at the Academy in Cambridge, Massachusetts on 5 October.

Professor Paul Rock, Sociology, has been invited for a residency at the Rockerfeller Center at Bellagio, Italy. He will take up his residency in February 2003 to work on his book on the development of policies for victims of crime during the government's first administration, 1997-2001.

Dr Irini Moustaki, Statistics Department, and Professor Marcoulides, California State University, co-edited the book: Latent Variable and Latent Structure Models (Lawrence Erlbaum). The book is a collection of research papers presented at the 22nd biennial conference of the Society for Multivariate Analysis in the Behavioural Sciences held by the Department of Statistics in July 2000.

A new book, The Analysis and Interpretation of Multivariate Data for Social Scientists by Dr Moustaki, Professor Bartholomew and Ms Galbraith of the Statistics Department, and Dr Steele from the Institute of Education, has recently been published by Chapman and Hall/CRC.

Public lectures

Los Angeles is a city universally familiar in its fragments and suggestions, but quite unknown as a composite or totality. The discussion will focus on representation, but obliquely, looking at the relationships, metaphorical and real, between cinematic and urban forms, as we track the architectural history of Los Angeles from the exoticism of the silent screen to the futurist panoramas of Todd-Ao.

The last 20 years have witnessed numerous banking crises. These have had more serious consequences in developing and emerging countries, but the richest countries have also been concerned: the USA, Scandinavia, Germany, France, Spain and Japan. Jean-Charles Rochet will assess the reasons why commercial banks are so fragile and look at the possible mechanisms of propagation of financial distress among them. He will also focus on the political economy of banking crises and the way in which banking authorities respond to political pressure.

Jean-Charles Rochet is professor of mathematics and economics at Toulouse University and visiting BP Amoco Centennial Professor at LSE. He has published widely in the areas of banking supervision and financial regulation, including recent articles for the International Economic Review and Review of Economic Studies.

Free and unticketed. Further information: Debbie Ranger, ext 7318, email: d.ranger@lse.ac.uk.

Kemal Dervis
Some Thoughts on the End and the New Beginning of History: an economist's perspective

Dervis is minister of economic affairs for Turkey and former vice-president of the World Bank.

Further information: Nan Hume, European Institute, ext 6780, email: n.hume@lse.ac.uk.

Obituary

Professor Lord Peter Bauer, Emeritus Professor of Economics, died on 2 May aged 86.

Professor Lord Peter Bauer, who taught economics at LSE from 1960 to 1983 was recently awarded the first Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty in recognition of his pioneering work in the field of development economics. The prize is awarded biennially by the Cato Institute to an individual who has dedicated his life to the advancement of human freedom. The prize was to have been presented to Lord Bauer on 9 May in Washington DC, with Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman present at the ceremony. The presentation went ahead with the award being accepted by John Blundell, director of the London-based Institute of Economic Affairs, on behalf of Lord Bauer.

Lord Bauer's commitment to challenging orthodox views was remarkably influential and, as a lone voice, he achieved a radical change in policy on development issues. On hearing of the Milton Friedman Prize, Meghnad Desai of the Economics Department said 'Peter Bauer was a pioneer of what we now believe is the right policy for developing countries. His economics was based on first hand observation of the circumstances in which people in poor countries lived and managed their economic problems. His study of West African traders and the Malaysian rubber industry are classics. He was a lone but correct voice in telling us to rely on people's initiatives and the market, rather than top down intervention. I think the prize is superbly deserved.'

IT Services /Library training courses

Library: Information skills training for all
No booking necessary. All classes are held in the Library Training Room.

EUS vote

For the first time in history, we are electing a European Students Council. This body will represent all students registered in EU schools, irrespective of nationalities, and all students can vote. This is a unique opportunity to take part in something new and to make a difference to European politics. You can still vote until 23 May.

In order to vote, you must first register with the EUSV (European Union Students Vote) where you can then vote online.

Alexandra Lopes is an LSE student and candidate to the EU Students Council within the Antiprohibitionist Students List.

Networking globally

The Global Politics Network provides a platform for students to exchange information and ideas and publish research on world politics. It aims to: build a truly international community of critical and open-minded students; provide the opportunity to publish in Globalics; promote a research agenda of unconventional and diverse approaches to global politics; to make Globalics the foremost student-run online journal on the internet. See: www.globalpolitics.net.

The Dev Cropper Award

The Dev Cropper Award is a prize awarded twice yearly by the Students' Union and we are now at the stage of looking for this year's second recipient. Nominations are accepted from anyone within the LSE Community.

The award is kindly donated by the Cropper family in memory of their son Dev, who tragically died in March, 1998, just before he was about to sit his finals. The awards have added poignancy this year following the death of Dev's father, John.

The award of £2,250 is given to a student who is about to complete their second year of undergraduate study at the School, and is given to a student who has contributed a huge amount to life at LSE, most probably within the Students' Union. The panel also looks for students who have been involved in community work, charities, educational and cultural projects - someone who has given a great deal to others.

The deadline for nominations is 24 May. Nomination forms are available from SU Reception, Ground Floor, East Building.

This award is a huge honour and will be awarded to an exceptional individual. If you know someone who is worthy of this, please nominate them.

Vacancies in halls

Harden High Holborn
Wardens are responsible to the Director for the general management, good order and discipline of the hall and the well being of the students. Wardens are provided with a two bedroom flat within the hall and an honorarium. Initial appointments are for five years from October 2002, subject to the applicant's academic tenure.

Further details from Nabila Majeed, ext 6658, email: recruitment@lse.ac.uk. Deadline: 18 June. Detailed letter of application should be addressed to Pro-Director Rees. Quote ref: 39/01/AR.

Subwardens various halls
Subwardens assist the wardens in supporting the welfare and discipline of residents. The posts are open to graduate students on taught or research degrees. Information and application forms can be obtained from Hazel Eracleous, ext 7775, email: c.h.eracleous@lse.ac.uk. Deadline 18 June.

Theatrical treat

Cairo in the '60s, Hollywood in the '80s, London in the '90s... The Bosphorus and Istanbul, Anatolian summers, Cairo and its synagogues, Alexandria and its port, Khan El Khalili and its spices, Hollywood and its follies contrasted with the Scottish Highlands, present the backdrop for Nora Armani's play: On the Couch with Nora Armani: candid tales of love and nostalgia sprinkled with humour from A to Z! The play represents a woman's search for an identity and a culture to call her own. With music, song and dance, Nora Armani evokes love stories, emotional tales and secret dreams.

Nora, a Sociology postgrad student in identity and media, is an award-winning actress, with an international stage and film career. The recipient of several awards for performance and creation, she was recently awarded best actress at the Siunik Film Festival.

Performances: 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 June at 8pm, New End Theatre, Hampstead. £12 (£10 concessions). For additional information and photographs of the show, visit Nora's website: www.noraarmani.com.

SCR dates

SCR Strawberry Tea Wednesday 26 June, 4pm. A collection will be taken for a number of SCR members who are retiring next academic year.
SCR Annual Dinner Thursday 4 July, 7 for 7:30pm. The guest speaker to be announced.

Disability equality

Success!
On Thursday 16 May, Heather Roberts took up her place as our first CSV (Community Service Volunteer) to support students with disabilities. She was introduced to staff and students at the Disability Consultative Forum held on Thursday afternoon and will start work on Monday 20 May. We also welcomed to the Forum Chris Kudlicki, head of estates, and David Bonnett, architect and leading specialist in the field of DDA and access design, where they discussed aspects of the pedestrianisation and Library Plaza schemes from architects MacCormac Jamieson Pritchard.

Disability Equality Working Party
This will meet for the first time on Monday 20 May to agree terms of reference and revise the School's policy in the light of SENDA (The Special Educational Needs and Disability Act).

Noticeboard

ODI/DESTIN meeting
Wednesday 29 May, ODI, 111 Westminster Bridge. Ben Fine and Michael Woolcock: Social Capital and Development: part of the problem or part of the solution? Email: j.putzel@lse.ac.uk or d.booth@odi.org.uk for further information.

Film and discussion
A documentary film and panel discussion on Hindu Fundamentalism and the Future of Muslims in India will be held on Thursday 23 May, 3pm, Room S78. The documentary is the first part of Father, Son and Holy War - a film on men, religion and violence and directed by Anand Patwardhan. The panel includes Gita Sehgal and Salil Tripathi. Sehgal is a writer and documentary film maker based in London. She is affiliated with such organisations as Southall Black Sisters and is co-editor with Nira-Yuval-Davis of the book Refusing Holy Orders which concerns women and fundamentalism. Tripathi is a freelance journalist in London. All welcome. For further information, please email: m.s.sreerekha@lse.ac.uk, or s.chopra@lse.ac.uk.

Institute of US Studies lecture
Wednesday 22 May, 6pm, Chancellor's Hall, Senate House. Peter Dickinson: From St Louis to Europe: the international influence of Scott Joplin's ragtime rhythms. To register, email: iuss@sas.ac.uk.

Africa Day concert
Monday 27 May, 7.30pm, Royal Festival Hall. Celebrating nearly 40 years of the Organisation of African Unity, its transformation into the African Union, and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). Tickets: £10, £12.50 and £15 from the box office. Tel: 020 7960 4242.

Need a break in the sun? Two bedroom apartment in popular port area of Estepona, Costa del Sol. Secure complex with two swimming pools and views of the rock of Gibraltar. Two minutes walk from picturesque, sandy beach. One hour from Malaga airport. Competitive rates. Contact: j.a.fletcher@lse.ac.uk for further details.

Do you need an aupair? French third year medical student would like to work as an aupair with a native English speaking family in July to improve her English. Contact Alice on either 020 7574 6900 around 3.30pm, or 00 33 2 3131 0620.

Do you need a babysitter? Experienced, friendly, mature and dependable Italian woman. Flexible schedule. Please contact Silvia on 020 7740 2465 after 8pm or leave a message. Character references available.

To rent: bright double room (unfurnished) in recently renovated Victorian house in Stratford. Patio garden. Professional n/s female preferred. Share with one other. Close to all amenities. Available June/July. Rent £357.50 pcm plus bills. Call 020 8536 1450 (eves and w/e).

To rent: Victorian three-bed, fully-furnished flat available for three months in trendy Crouch End. Five mins to shops/restaurants. 30-40 minutes to LSE; closest tube Finsbury Park. Available 26 May. £1,300p/m (neg). Contact Amanda Maitland, Hobarts, +44 (0)7074 642626/020 8342 9000.

Translation: from French and Spanish into English by experienced translator with Institute of Linguists qualification. I also specialise in revising English text for non-mother tongue writers. Reasonable rates. Tel: 020 8693 7751; email: jean@gini.freeserve.co.uk.

Please help: married couple unable to have a baby is looking for someone who would be willing to donate eggs. Donors should be under 35 and resident in England, educated, within 30 per cent of ideal body weight and have a good family health history. Contact The Assisted Conception Unit, tel: 020 7380 9955, ref number 8679.

LSE News & Views is published every Monday during term by the Press & Information Office. Printed by Reprographics Department. The aim is to provide a means of communication for all members of the School as well as news and information about people and activities. Articles, news and photographs are welcome. Contributions should be sent to Toni Sym, Press & Information Office, 6th Floor, Tower 1, to arrive no later than one week before publication date. All personal ads carry a standard charge of £2 for up to 50 words.

Volume Twenty-Eight • Number Four • 20 May 2002

Future work